Coffin



(Mode1.) D.. R. JOHNSON.

GOFFIN.

11 ,243,913. Patented July 5, 18 81.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DAVID R. JOHNSON, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN.

COFFIN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 243,913, dated July 5,1881. Application filed April 25, 1881. (ModeL) To all whom it mayconcern:

Be it known that I, DAVID R. JOHNSON, of Milwaukee, in the county ofMilwaukee, and in the State of \Visconsin, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Ooffins; and I do hereby declare that thefollowing is a full, clear, and exact description thereof.

My invention relates to improvements in coflin-lids, whereby they may beconstructed of narrow or refuse lumber, and to surpass in utility andappearance those made of wide or more costly material.

In the drawings, Figure l is an under-side view of my device, showingits peculiarities of construction. Fig. 2 is a top view; and Fig. 3, across-section on line at a, Fig. 2.

Heretol'ore, in the manufacture of coffinlids, it has been customary toemploy lumber of the whole width'of the lid, which renders the same moreexpensive and heavier than necessary, and to avoid this is the object ofmy present invention.

In putting up a lid after my invention, I first form the skeleton A ofnarrow lumbersay two and seven-eighths inches in width and five-eighthsinch in thickness. This I make preferably in six pieces, uniting them inany ordinary manner, as by ton guin g and grooving, or by doweling. Inext prepare the molding B, of about one and seven-eighths inch in widthand seven-eighths of an inch thick, in the same manner, and secure itupon the skeleton A in any suitable manner, as shown in Fig. 3. Theproportions may be varied to suit the taste, and, of course, due regardfor symmetry should be shown in putting the parts together. I nextprepare the stiles Gr, fashioned from narrow lumber, each conformingalong its outer edge to the shape of the skeleton and molding, andhaving a straight inner edge, except where it is cut out to expose theface of the corpse at F. To unite the stiles I use 'three wedge-shapedrails, D E I, of different width, which I insert between the edges ofthe stiles and secure in place in any suitable manner, the rail D at thefoot of the lid being the longest and of least width, the rail E, theupper edge of which forms part of the border below the face-openin g,being wider and having less taper, and the rail I still wider andformingpart of the border about andabove the face. When the stiles havethus been secured together, to complete the lid a panel, 0, is plantedover the opening between the stiles, and then the lid proper is securedtoits molding B, which, in turn, is secured to the skeleton A, andaface-p1ate,H, is removabl y secured above the face-opening.

The lid thus made is stronger for all practical purposes than one madeof solid lumber, is much lighter and cheaper, and is far more finishedin appearance.

I claim as my invention In a coffin-lid, the narrow stiles G G, incombination with rails D E I, panel 0, and a skeleton, A, and molding B,as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand this7th day of April, 1881.

DAVID It. JOHNSON.

Witnesses:

HAROLD G. UNDERWOOD, S. S. STOUT.

